I am confused about how to report my AGI.  I earn a salary, my husband operates a sole proprietorship business.  His “business income” and “other income” are both negative numbers resulting in a negative number larger than my salary.  We file jointly, thus the AGI on our tax return for the past few years is a negative number.  The forms on the Direct Consolidation loan website do not allow for negative numbers.  If I enter “0” on the first page as our combined AGI, then the next page asks for each of our income individually.  I have a positive income, he has a negative, but it will not allow me to enter a negative number (converting it to a positive number) so it tells me my numbers don’t match and I am not eligible for IBR.  Any suggestions?

Kelly, I think you might be better off submitted the paper consolidation application and IBR selection forms.  Then you can enter the requested data according to your own situation.